Saturday, June 30, 2012
Independence KS
After we checked into our very nice bed and breakfast we drove out to the Little House site. It is only seven miles from town not forty as Laura via Mary remembered and wrote. But what is a few miles when you are a kid. There is a soft evening light and Louisa is very happy to really be there. There isn't much there really but enough more than when the Ingalls lived there that it is hard to envision an open and treeless prairie where the Indians still lived. After we took our pictures and wandered around we sat on the bench and read from the book. The birds were chirping, the cicadas were buzzing, the sun was low in the west and the soft evening light and cooler temps made it a comfortable place to be. Across the road was an open field that helped somewhat to see the unbroken prairie they would have had. It was harder to imagine the Indians walking by or the wolves howling. Finally it was dark and we came back to town.
Winterset
What a day. When it takes till one pm to drive by the turn off to the place you were supposed to stay the night before you know something has to give. In our case it was church history mostly and an early start the next morning.
We slept in the city park campground in Winterset. It was a nicer place than I would have expected. We saw fireflies which was great. Louisa woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me it was raining. It didn't rain too hard but enough it would have got us wet had she not put on the rainflap.
Then we cooked a hot breakfast packed up and went to see the other bridges in the county. First there was the one in the park, the only one not over a river. We discovered a hedge maze that we had to try. 
Then there was John Wayne's birthplace and the statue of him in another park and then there was the farmers market. And then finally we could head out.
Well it just took time and it was so much fun to wonder around the hills and dales of Madison county looking for the last three bridges. They don't pave most of the roads in Iowa but they are straight and graded. The car got very dusty, there are so many fun places to stop and see. We were able to drive across Cedar Bridge. Hogback was next to a field of Black eyed Susans. We ate lunch at romantic and beautiful Roseman bridge and then headed south.
We ran right into Mt Pisgah on the Mormon pioneer trail. I was happy to see it as it had been one of the places that first stirred my interest in the trail way back in seminary. We weren't able to stop at Garden Grove, but that was ok.
Then we were on the interstate. We didn't have time for Adam ondi Ahman, let alone Ketesville where the Ingalls had stopped for a short time before heading south to Kansas. We stopped for a quick look at the new temple. Louisa guided me through Kansas City and then we drove straight through Kansas sacrificing the capitol in Topeka so that we could get to the Little House before dark.
We listened to our audio books of Laura. I drove and Louisa slept. She has been great. She has packed our trunk and been a good navigator. I knew this was a jampacked itinerary and after Council Bluffs I told Louisa to "just say NO" when I say "Oh, lets see this". We are getting our sense of timing and priorities down.
We finally got to Independence KS. It is still hard for me to understand when there is a little Podunk town that no one has heard of how it can be so big. Little Podunk towns in Utah that no one has heard of do not have a huge courthouse, tons of people, lots of old homes etc.
We slept in the city park campground in Winterset. It was a nicer place than I would have expected. We saw fireflies which was great. Louisa woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me it was raining. It didn't rain too hard but enough it would have got us wet had she not put on the rainflap.
We ran right into Mt Pisgah on the Mormon pioneer trail. I was happy to see it as it had been one of the places that first stirred my interest in the trail way back in seminary. We weren't able to stop at Garden Grove, but that was ok.
We listened to our audio books of Laura. I drove and Louisa slept. She has been great. She has packed our trunk and been a good navigator. I knew this was a jampacked itinerary and after Council Bluffs I told Louisa to "just say NO" when I say "Oh, lets see this". We are getting our sense of timing and priorities down.
We finally got to Independence KS. It is still hard for me to understand when there is a little Podunk town that no one has heard of how it can be so big. Little Podunk towns in Utah that no one has heard of do not have a huge courthouse, tons of people, lots of old homes etc.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Iowa
On top of all the rest what really set us back was we needed gas and something to drink. There was only a shopping center without a gas station, but there was a Shopko and I thought they would have drinks. They also had clothes....oh yes we were way off schedule. 
So the very impressive Iowa state capitol, which is large, we saw but were too late to go inside. We definitely had to take the Living History Farms off the plan.
But we were able to see three of the Madison County covered bridges in the evening. They were wonderful. We also had no chance of getting to the campground at the other end of the state (for which I had prepaid a two night stay). We thankfully found a campground in the Winterset city park on the edge of town, nice enough. Set up camp, ate at subway and SAW FIREFLIES!!!
Not as hot today. Nor as muggy. Yesterday was about 98% temp and humidty.
Not as hot today. Nor as muggy. Yesterday was about 98% temp and humidty.
Council Bluffs
Having a great time. I love Iowa. I love the rolling hills. I love the green. I love the tall trees and the fields of corn in neat rows. I love the fireflies.
I don't like the construction on I-80. All across Wyoming, all across Nebraska and all across the half of Iowa we have driven the interstate has been slowed by one lane sections. It is not the primary reason we haven't done everything we wanted but it has contributed.
So today was supposed to start with an early breakfast and leave by 9. When we were still talking with our hosts at 1030 it was an indication of the way the rest of the day would go. But they are in Iowa where politics are big and of course they had to ask about Mitt Romney. It was really interesting for me and I allowed it keep going long after we should have left and I could have kept on talking. But we did have other places to go today.
First stop the view from Lewis and Clark bluff park. This was the first place they met with the Indians, ie Council Bluff.
Then on to the Kanesville Tabernacle. This was built by non-members hoping to stimulate some tourism. The church bought it and produces a small pageant. It is significant for the fact that it was here that Brigham Young was sustained as president setting the precedent for the way the mantle of authority should be continued. You know you read about these places but seeing them even for a short time teaches you so much.
Next was Redemption Hill where the first pioneers were camped and where the request for the Mormon Battalion was first made. Then the on the grounds of the school for the deaf was where the mustering took place. Each of these places so significant, and places I'd wanted to see since high school.
And then last was the Western Trails Museum. That one we could have left out, unfortunately. It took a lot of time and we didnt get much out of it. We were told to take a walk along the levee and so we went up hoping to see the river, but it wasn't visible, so we went walking hoping to see it, but never did.
I don't like the construction on I-80. All across Wyoming, all across Nebraska and all across the half of Iowa we have driven the interstate has been slowed by one lane sections. It is not the primary reason we haven't done everything we wanted but it has contributed.
So today was supposed to start with an early breakfast and leave by 9. When we were still talking with our hosts at 1030 it was an indication of the way the rest of the day would go. But they are in Iowa where politics are big and of course they had to ask about Mitt Romney. It was really interesting for me and I allowed it keep going long after we should have left and I could have kept on talking. But we did have other places to go today.
First stop the view from Lewis and Clark bluff park. This was the first place they met with the Indians, ie Council Bluff.
Next was Redemption Hill where the first pioneers were camped and where the request for the Mormon Battalion was first made. Then the on the grounds of the school for the deaf was where the mustering took place. Each of these places so significant, and places I'd wanted to see since high school.
And then last was the Western Trails Museum. That one we could have left out, unfortunately. It took a lot of time and we didnt get much out of it. We were told to take a walk along the levee and so we went up hoping to see the river, but it wasn't visible, so we went walking hoping to see it, but never did.
Nebraska
Yesterday we drove past Scouts Rest--Buffalo Bills home in North Platte--nothin too much to see. Then in Gothenburg we stopped at an original pony express station. That was interesting, I don't usually think of it out this way.
I happened to notice the gas light on just after we passed an exit. And was very glad that there was another one not too much further.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Day One
We are camped on the beach of Lake McConaughy outside Ogalalla Nebraska. It was an okay first day but I hope the rest improve somewhat. We finally left about 10 so that put us late, then there was construction on I-80 in Wyoming that had us going 45mph for long stretches. We were 15 minutes too late in Cheyenne to be able to go into the Capitol and then it started raining. It rained all through Nebraska. And we worried about camping. Between us and our planned campspot were the wagon ruts over Sand Hill. So since I was getting tired and I wanted to see them in the daylight we drove down a road looking for the bit of green on the map indicating a park.
I guess in the end it was a good day. We are on our way. We listened to the audio book for " A Little house in the Big Woods" to get us in the mood. We get to hear the songs Pa played on his fiddle. I love that.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
From the phone
I am hoping to add updates from my phone, so this is an experiment to see how it works.
I have just finished reading "The Long Winter". I am still impressed with Laura's storytelling ability. But you can see that she learned early listening to her Pa tell his stories. And then honing it when she became eyes for Mary and learned to describe what she saw to someone who couldn't see it.
I have just finished reading "The Long Winter". I am still impressed with Laura's storytelling ability. But you can see that she learned early listening to her Pa tell his stories. And then honing it when she became eyes for Mary and learned to describe what she saw to someone who couldn't see it.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
And all the rest...
Okay, I think one more before calling it a night.
Well, I just couldn't resist. Of course we will be seeing other things along the way.
First, I started realizing how many state capitols we would be going through or near, so we are going to see as many as we can... Cheyenne WY, Lincoln NE, Des Moines IA, Topeka KS, Jefferson City MO, and Pierre SD.
Second, The reason we are going to Des Moines anyway is to go to the Living History Farms. These are living enactments of the prairie farms over the last two centuries. It will give us a chance to see what living like Laura might have been like.
Also along this line we will stop at the Sod Houses just outside of Walnut Grove.
Third, And as long as we are there ;-) we will take the afternoon to visit the "Bridges of Madison County",,, just south of Des Moines.
Fourth, LDS church history. Well we will be following the pioneer trail so we are going to see a few of the places we haven't seen yet- like some of the actual wagon trails, Winter Quarters and some of the camps in Iowa and the Nauvoo Temple which wasn't open last we were there.
Fifth, we will be on tour on the Fourth of July. This was hard to plan for and still get us in Walnut Grove that weekend for the pageant. But I hope my plan works out. We will be in Independence Iowa in the morning for their parade. That sounds pretty patriotic. Then we will end up the day in La Crosse WI, which has a big party with fireworks at night over the Mississippi. Sounds fantastic.
Sixth, Indian stuff. I have always been interested in the Mississippi Mound Builders, so we'll be seeing some of those on the way to La Crosse. We will also see a couple places in MN, the Jeffers Petroglyphs (petroglyphs on a prairie??) and the Pipestone NM where they mine the stone for pipes.
Seventh, heavens- there is more? Well, have to add in the Badlands, and Mt Rushmore. We'll be right there.
Well, I just couldn't resist. Of course we will be seeing other things along the way.
First, I started realizing how many state capitols we would be going through or near, so we are going to see as many as we can... Cheyenne WY, Lincoln NE, Des Moines IA, Topeka KS, Jefferson City MO, and Pierre SD.
Second, The reason we are going to Des Moines anyway is to go to the Living History Farms. These are living enactments of the prairie farms over the last two centuries. It will give us a chance to see what living like Laura might have been like.
Also along this line we will stop at the Sod Houses just outside of Walnut Grove.
Third, And as long as we are there ;-) we will take the afternoon to visit the "Bridges of Madison County",,, just south of Des Moines.
Fourth, LDS church history. Well we will be following the pioneer trail so we are going to see a few of the places we haven't seen yet- like some of the actual wagon trails, Winter Quarters and some of the camps in Iowa and the Nauvoo Temple which wasn't open last we were there.
Fifth, we will be on tour on the Fourth of July. This was hard to plan for and still get us in Walnut Grove that weekend for the pageant. But I hope my plan works out. We will be in Independence Iowa in the morning for their parade. That sounds pretty patriotic. Then we will end up the day in La Crosse WI, which has a big party with fireworks at night over the Mississippi. Sounds fantastic.
Sixth, Indian stuff. I have always been interested in the Mississippi Mound Builders, so we'll be seeing some of those on the way to La Crosse. We will also see a couple places in MN, the Jeffers Petroglyphs (petroglyphs on a prairie??) and the Pipestone NM where they mine the stone for pipes.
Seventh, heavens- there is more? Well, have to add in the Badlands, and Mt Rushmore. We'll be right there.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Where are we going? And Why?
So, we are going to every spot Laura Ingalls Wilder lived...almost.
She was born in Pepin Wisconsin and lived there in the "Big Woods"
Her family moved for a short time to Missouri---this is a two hour detour out of our way on a very long driving day. We'll decide that day whether to take it.
When she was two they moved to Indian Territory in Kansas. This is the "Little House on the Prairie".
Neither Missouri and Kansas worked out, so they moved back to Pepin.
Then they moved to Walnut Grove Minn. This is where the "Plum Creek" dugout and home were.
When the grasshoppers ruined their crop the Ingalls moved first to South Troy (where little baby Freddie died and where we will not be going), and then on to Burr Oak Iowa to help run a hotel.
Walnut Grove looked better after awhile so they moved back, into town this time. We are excited to see the bell that is still there that Pa helped to pay for.
Pa got a job with the railroad and joined up with the homesteaders in South Dakota. The end of the line was De Smet, on the "Shores of Silver Lake". Silver Lake is long gone, but Pa promised Ma they wouldn't move again, they were the first ones there, and stayed the rest of their lives, being buried in the town cemetery.
Laura and Almonzo met in De Smet and married and intended to stay. But it was a rough first four years. They tried Spring Valley Minn where his family was (and we'll see it), then Florida (no, not going there), and finally Mansfield Missouri. They made a living with a small farm and orchard they named Rocky Ridge and lived out their days in the Ozarks.
And finally, Grace (or was it Carrie?) lived in Keystone SD and worked in the visitors center there. Louisa discovered this on our trip to see Mt Rushmore and bought the travel book outlining all these places and gave us the idea for the tour in the first place. It is on our way home so we will stop and see her home as well.
Unfortunately we cannot crisscross the country to see them all in order. So we will begin in Kansas with the namesake little house on the prairie then over to Mansfield (with a detour into Oklahoma and Arkansas- got to get a few more states on my "have visited there" list). Then a long drive up through Missouri and Iowa to Pepin, then back down to Iowa for Burr Oak and Spring Valley, before heading west again to Walnut Grove and De Smet.
She was born in Pepin Wisconsin and lived there in the "Big Woods"
Her family moved for a short time to Missouri---this is a two hour detour out of our way on a very long driving day. We'll decide that day whether to take it.
When she was two they moved to Indian Territory in Kansas. This is the "Little House on the Prairie".
Neither Missouri and Kansas worked out, so they moved back to Pepin.
Then they moved to Walnut Grove Minn. This is where the "Plum Creek" dugout and home were.
When the grasshoppers ruined their crop the Ingalls moved first to South Troy (where little baby Freddie died and where we will not be going), and then on to Burr Oak Iowa to help run a hotel.
Walnut Grove looked better after awhile so they moved back, into town this time. We are excited to see the bell that is still there that Pa helped to pay for.
Pa got a job with the railroad and joined up with the homesteaders in South Dakota. The end of the line was De Smet, on the "Shores of Silver Lake". Silver Lake is long gone, but Pa promised Ma they wouldn't move again, they were the first ones there, and stayed the rest of their lives, being buried in the town cemetery.
Laura and Almonzo met in De Smet and married and intended to stay. But it was a rough first four years. They tried Spring Valley Minn where his family was (and we'll see it), then Florida (no, not going there), and finally Mansfield Missouri. They made a living with a small farm and orchard they named Rocky Ridge and lived out their days in the Ozarks.
And finally, Grace (or was it Carrie?) lived in Keystone SD and worked in the visitors center there. Louisa discovered this on our trip to see Mt Rushmore and bought the travel book outlining all these places and gave us the idea for the tour in the first place. It is on our way home so we will stop and see her home as well.
Unfortunately we cannot crisscross the country to see them all in order. So we will begin in Kansas with the namesake little house on the prairie then over to Mansfield (with a detour into Oklahoma and Arkansas- got to get a few more states on my "have visited there" list). Then a long drive up through Missouri and Iowa to Pepin, then back down to Iowa for Burr Oak and Spring Valley, before heading west again to Walnut Grove and De Smet.
Preparations
Why we shouldn't have planned this trip for this year.... none of which I knew when the idea was first germinated:
1) Louisa said she had the whole month of July off from the temple this year. So I thought well, maybe that is enough time to finally make this trip. What we didn't know was that she would discover that volunteers needed to be in the temple district to serve and since she wasn't in the SL temple district she wouldn't be going back to the temple after they closed. So in the end that month window just didn't exist. We could have done it anytime.
2) Russ isn't going because he already had almost 2 months off recuperating from knee replacement surgery which we hadn't expected to do this year when I first started planning the trip. Neither he nor I feel comfortable having him take another two weeks so soon.
3) Baby Boy Kruger decided to come in July. I don't know that I had really put the two of those together in time to really understand the implications, ie I could BE IN WISCONSIN when my first grandchild is born. I made the itinerary for going before his due date thinking that most first babies are late.... I really couldn't do too much rearranging because we are trying to get to both the pageant in Walnut Grove as well as the one in De Smet, and they are only on the first three weekends in July.
4) We ended up with an out of state wedding in August. I am way excited. But it was one more major planning experience for this summer. At least it wasn't in JULY! :-)
1) Louisa said she had the whole month of July off from the temple this year. So I thought well, maybe that is enough time to finally make this trip. What we didn't know was that she would discover that volunteers needed to be in the temple district to serve and since she wasn't in the SL temple district she wouldn't be going back to the temple after they closed. So in the end that month window just didn't exist. We could have done it anytime.
2) Russ isn't going because he already had almost 2 months off recuperating from knee replacement surgery which we hadn't expected to do this year when I first started planning the trip. Neither he nor I feel comfortable having him take another two weeks so soon.
3) Baby Boy Kruger decided to come in July. I don't know that I had really put the two of those together in time to really understand the implications, ie I could BE IN WISCONSIN when my first grandchild is born. I made the itinerary for going before his due date thinking that most first babies are late.... I really couldn't do too much rearranging because we are trying to get to both the pageant in Walnut Grove as well as the one in De Smet, and they are only on the first three weekends in July.
4) We ended up with an out of state wedding in August. I am way excited. But it was one more major planning experience for this summer. At least it wasn't in JULY! :-)
ROAD TRIP
It is finally Louisa's turn. Though she graduated first she has had to wait till now for her senior trip. The boys ended up with trips out of the country, but for Louisa it is a Midwest tour. When she was in school her favorite show was "Little House on the Prairie". She LOVED it, learned how to record them and watched them over and over. She has all the books, and calendars and recipe books etc and now the official DVDs. She wore braids and wanted a bonnet.
So her trip was pretty obvious...to see ALL the Laura Ingalls Wilder homes. At this point I'm wondering if it is kind of insane. One or two would have sufficed. Boy, I can't believe what this has become, I have become immersed in Laura Ingalls Wilder. Even more so now that I have been reading the books- for the first time apparently. And I am LOVING them. What a talented writer she was, no wonder they were popular. The descriptions of the prairies, of Laura's wild streak, of her love for her Pa, of her shyness in towns, and of the jollity of Christmas celebrations all sing of goodness, and family, and honest living and a picture frame glimpse of the life that thousands of settlers lived as they settled the west.
So her trip was pretty obvious...to see ALL the Laura Ingalls Wilder homes. At this point I'm wondering if it is kind of insane. One or two would have sufficed. Boy, I can't believe what this has become, I have become immersed in Laura Ingalls Wilder. Even more so now that I have been reading the books- for the first time apparently. And I am LOVING them. What a talented writer she was, no wonder they were popular. The descriptions of the prairies, of Laura's wild streak, of her love for her Pa, of her shyness in towns, and of the jollity of Christmas celebrations all sing of goodness, and family, and honest living and a picture frame glimpse of the life that thousands of settlers lived as they settled the west.
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